In the third quarter of 2026, the total number of vehicles listed on AutoScout24 increased slightly by 0.66% compared to the previous quarter and by 2.63% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The main part of the supply increase was in used cars, whose listings rose by 0.94% quarter on quarter and by 2.50% year on year. For new car listings, the supply decreased slightly by -0.84% quarter on quarter, but showed a year-on-year growth of 3.99%. According to auto-schweiz, official new car registrations declined by -10.35% quarter on quarter, but were 2.14% above the previous year's level (Q3 2025).
Price Trend: Average Listing Prices Decline
The average price for a new car decreased by -2.61% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter and by -5.81% compared to the previous year. Similarly, the average prices for used cars declined by -0.78% quarter on quarter and by -4.28% year on year. Particularly noticeable decreases were observed for brand-new petrol cars with a -4.41% decline quarter on quarter and -4.88% year on year, as well as for new plug-in hybrids with a -3.78% decline compared to Q2 2026 and -15.95% compared to Q3 2025. Among used cars, used diesel vehicles recorded a -1.70% decline quarter on quarter and -8.27% year on year, while used mild hybrids saw a -2.36% decline quarter on quarter. In contrast, used electric vehicles registered a slight price increase of 1.47% compared to the previous quarter but were -1.36% below the level of Q3 2025.
"The average listing prices for new and used cars are below the level of the previous quarter and previous year," comments Alberto Sanz de Lama, Managing Director Automotive of the SMG Swiss Marketplace Group. "At the same time, data shows that the market for electrified vehicles remains dynamic – alternative drives and modern electric models are shaping demand and further driving structural change in the Swiss car market."
Demand Dynamics for Electric Models
The analysis of purchase inquiries reveals dynamic developments for individual electric models and plug- in hybrids. For new car inquiries (leads), the fully battery-electric Zeekr 7X experienced a growth of 92.60% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, while the Tesla Model Y, despite a decline of -26.49%, continues to be among the popular vehicles. The plug-in hybrid BYD Seal U DM-i increased its new car leads by 8.78% and also secured a place among the top-3 new cars based on deleted listings, which serve as an indicator of potential sales. This development aligns with the findings of an earlier AutoScout24 study. Further insights are provided in the media release "Chinese Cars on the Fast Track: Swiss People Overcome Their Skepticism."
Development of Vehicle Categories and SUV Market Position
Significant movements in supply were also noted across different vehicle categories. While in the previous year, SUVs stood out as the strongest growth driver in the new car segment, a more differentiated picture emerges in the third quarter of 2026: The supply of brand-new SUVs fell slightly by -3.25% quarter on quarter, while estates (12.85%) and saloons (4.61%) grew. In the used car market, SUVs remain the category with the largest number of listings; their supply grew by 4.36% quarter on quarter. Meanwhile, the average prices for SUVs slightly decreased compared to the previous quarter for both new cars (-1.46%) and used cars (-1.95%).
AutoScout24 Provides Orientation in the Car Market
In a rapidly changing market environment with new providers and various drive forms, AutoScout24 focuses on orientation and trust. "We aim to equip private customers with all relevant information so that they can form a comprehensive picture of the vehicle and make the best purchase or sale decision for them," emphasizes Matthias Bischof, Director Business Customers at AutoScout24. "Particularly when transitioning to e-mobility, we provide the necessary security throughout the decision-making process through transparent data and fair price comparisons. Standardized battery certificates, which can directly complement listings for used electric cars on AutoScout24, also help in this."
Data Basis
The study examined the supply and demand data of passenger cars on AutoScout24 in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter (Q2 2026) and the previous year's quarter (Q3 2025). The evaluations were segmented by new and used vehicles, by fuel types (new and used cars), and by vehicle type (new and used cars). They are based on the published listings, search queries, contact inquiries (leads), and deleted listings on autoscout24.ch. For the price analyses, the average listing price within the respective comparison periods was taken into account. The information on official new car registrations is sourced from auto-schweiz.
Media Contact
Marleen Seilheimer
Senior Communications Manager
media@swissmarketplace.group